Originally posted by Gaffer42ca
Know what - I asked a question, I got an answer. I don't expect a US citizen to understand, which is why I asked if any Canadians on the board had any ideas - they did. I'm happy. Go on if you like, I'm for letting this drop.
I think this was aimed at me. I, too am sorry if anyone took offense at what I have posted, that wasn't the intention. I simply wanted to understand what all the fuss is about, and frankly, I still don't. Seems to me there is quite a bit of confusion about the issue. This does not, however, mean I am just a silly American who doesn't understand anything. Actually, I think it's you guys that are confused. For instance:
Well the big deal is that over $500 Canadian of our hard earned money was just lost to money cyberspace to purchase $1,000 U.S. this lost money has to be calculated into the vacation budget and leaves us less money to spend at WDW
Again, this just doesn't make sense to me. You haven't "lost" $500 CAN. You converted your CAN to American. It's apples and oranges, because the prices here are different. A stuffed Mickey that costs $20 Am here, would cost you $30 Can. in Canada. So the reverse is true as well. Think about it. You turn your $30 Ca into $20 Am and buy the same Mickey. It's value is the same. Only the numbers have changed. Why is this so hard for you to understand???
Also:
In Ontario we pay 7% gst (goods and services tax) and 8% pst (provincial tax) on our purchases with a few exceptions. Most U.S. states I have visited have a state tax only.
This is not true. Most places have both a state tax and a county tax. When the NYS sales tax on clothing was waived, I still had to pay 3% county taxes on my clothes. And your tax rates may be different than ours which is unfortunate, but we pay it when we purchase things in Canada (no one ever really submits anything, we just pay it). And we would be taxed upon our return to the US as well.
Anyway, I guess it is pointless to continue to discuss this issue here. You are not alone at all. Many, many Canadians I have spoken to feel as you do, and I can't ever seem to get thru to them either. Must be a cultural thing. I keep forgetting you guys aren't really just like us :lookaroun
Again, I do not mean to offend, just trying to understand/be understood.